10 Tips For Travelers With Limited Mobility

Anyone who’s ever traveled will agree that traveling is an amazing, joyful, fulfilling, and enriching experience. Many people aspire to see as much of the world as possible. Traveling is something everyone should be able to enjoy.

For people with limited mobility, traveling around the globe is now more accessible than ever in many destinations. While there may be challenges along the way, proper planning and preparation can help ensure a comfortable and enjoyable trip.

Here are ten tips for traveling with limited mobility:

1. Take A Mobility Chair That Suits Your Needs

A comfortable and reliable mobility chair can make all the difference if you’re traveling with mobility limitations. An ideal mobility aid should be something that’s suited to both your mobility needs and suited to travel.

For example, wheelchair scooters may be great mobility aids for getting around your hometown. They can be big and heavy. If you’re traveling, a more suitable option would be to choose a lightweight wheel chair model that is foldable and easy-to-transport.

2. Pick Accessible Travel Locations

Some locations are simply better suited to travelers with limited mobility than others. Choosing an ideal destination that caters to mobility challenged individuals plays a massive part in the satisfaction you’ll get from your travel.

Always research before booking anything, but generally, countries in Europe and the U.S. are well-equipped to accommodate people who use mobility chairs, while countries in Asia often aren’t very well-suited for such travelers.

3. Plan Your Plane Rides And Ask For An Aisle Chair

If you’re flying anywhere, your flight is another thing you have to prepare for. Make sure you book a flight that accommodates your mobility needs. Aisle chairs are thinner wheelchairs made specially to get through the narrow aisles in an airplane. Ask for one on your flight as it’ll make things so much more convenient.

4. Pre-Book Accommodations That Cater To Your Needs

When traveling with mobility limitations, one of the most important things is to ensure that your accommodation will cater to your specific needs. This may be especially important if you’re traveling by yourself.

It’s recommended that you call ahead of time and ask questions before booking a hotel or vacation rental. Once you get there, it may be beneficial to ask the hotel staff to check and ensure everything has been set in place for you.

5. Keep Some Cash For Unexpected Contingencies

Sometimes, unexpected things happen. Traveling with a disability may often call for unpredicted needs. You may never need it, but setting aside a bit of extra money to deal with any obstacles that come along could save your trip.

6. Set Aside A Few Break Days

Traveling can be tiring. Naturally, you’ll want to get out and see as much as possible, but it’s important to be well-rested and energized. This is especially important if your disability is affected by or results in low energy levels.

7. Find Accessible Attractions Before You Visit

So, you know where you’re going, but what will you do once you’re there? Some pre-trip research can tell you a lot about what there is to do at your destination. And, spend time searching for wheelchair- accessible activities and sights.

8. Plan Your Transportation In Advance

Public transport varies depending on countries and regions. Some are disability-friendly, while others aren’t. Try to find out what transportation is like before you depart for your destination. In some cases, you may want to book your rides with lift services that are geared toward your needs. Most of the time, drivers for services like Uber are willing to assist with packing a wheelchair into the trunk and helping you get back into it after the ride.

9. Don’t Be Shy To Ask For Help

Feel comfortable asking for assistance when getting seated in a taxi, opening doors, getting into an elevator, or anything else that comes up. As great as it is to be independent, sometimes, things are just made easier with a little help. If you’re traveling with people, everything’s probably sorted. If you’re traveling solo or find yourself alone, don’t shy away from asking for help if you need it.

10. Have Fun

Remember that along with all the research, planning, and preparation, the most important part of your trip is to have a good time. It’s easy to get lost in the planning stages, but don’t allow any bumps to ruin your travels. Take pictures, share them with friends, have some good laughs, and don’t let anything get in your way.

Conclusion

As you may have noticed, the key to traveling when you have any limited mobility is planning, planning, and more planning, with a bit of research thrown into the mix. Try to sort as much of the hard work as possible before the trip so you can have a relaxing time once you get there.

There are ways for everyone to travel, and you don’t need to be confined to your home because of any physical limitations. The ten tips given here will hopefully help when planning a trip for anyone with a physical disability.